the pain of natural childbirth

Has anyone had childbirth with no epidural? I'm thinking about just having iv meds and am wondering how bad exactly is the pain on child birth. It's my first time and for some unknown reason I have a voice in my head screaming don't take the epi, don't take the epi!!! Can the pain of childbirth hurt you or the baby??? My pain threashold is prob medium. Im wondering can anyone describe the pain of childbirth? Lol. Strange question to put out there I know!!! Thanks everyone xxx

Has anyone had childbirth with no epidural? I'm thinking about just having iv meds and am wondering how bad exactly is the pain on child birth. It's my first time and for some unknown reason I have a voice in my head screaming don't take the epi, don't take the epi!!! Can the pain of childbirth hurt you or the baby??? My pain threashold is prob medium. Im wondering can anyone describe the pain of childbirth? Lol. Strange question to put out there I know!!! Thanks everyone xxx

I'm wondering the same thing.. I kinda want to wait to decied til I get to my contractions and see how bad it is..haha but I really wanna try natural, but then again I may become a big 'ol baby and say I can't do this!! Hahaha

Sorry no help..

I'm wondering the same thing.. I kinda want to wait to decied til I get to my contractions and see how bad it is..haha but I really wanna try natural, but then again I may become a big 'ol baby and say I can't do this!! Hahaha

Its not that bad and your baby will be more active. I think that the use of epidurals has gotten as bad a elective c-sections just because its considered the norm everyone thinks it ok without the thought of how it affects the baby. It has been proven that non medicated mothers have more active and alert babies then those who choose to have meds.

Its not that bad and your baby will be more active. I think that the use of epidurals has gotten as bad a elective c-sections just because its considered the norm everyone thinks it ok without the thought of how it affects the baby. It has been proven that non medicated mothers have more active and alert babies then those who choose to have meds.

While I did have an epi with DD, it didn't take.. so I didn't get any effect from it, except the lame experience of getting the stupid thing put in.. and the catheter *shiver*, but I did have IV meds with her.. And I don't remember it being too excrutiating. But then again I have a pretty high threshold for pain. I was on the phone with DD's dad during contractions (cause the idiot purposely fudged up his schedule to miss her induction), and hung up close to when it was time to push. I honestly don't remember how bad the pain was, I just remember that it was bearable.. as I obviously survived!! I'm going to go without IV meds this time around too, cause that was mostly a pain in the bum aswell. And the pain of childbirth itself can't really hurt mum or baby. :)

While I did have an epi with DD, it didn't take.. so I didn't get any effect from it, except the lame experience of getting the stupid thing put in.. and the catheter *shiver*, but I did have IV meds with her.. And I don't remember it being too excrutiating. But then again I have a pretty high threshold for pain. I was on the phone with DD's dad during contractions (cause the idiot purposely fudged up his schedule to miss her induction), and hung up close to when it was time to push. I honestly don't remember how bad the pain was, I just remember that it was bearable.. as I obviously survived!! I'm going to go without IV meds this time around too, cause that was mostly a pain in the bum aswell. And the pain of childbirth itself can't really hurt mum or baby. :)

While I had an epidural with my daughter after 23hrs of labor, I did so because of the back labor I was experiencing. I will try to go without this time only because I want to try it again. I just wanted to advise you to keep an open mind about the experience. You know your body and your limits. Tell yourself and your support team (DH, nurses and dr) that you desire to do it naturally, but that if you should change your mind during labor that is perfectly fine! I wanted very badly to go naturally and was frustrated and dissappointed in myself when my plans changed, but everything worked out beautifully and I had a great birthing experience....best of luck in whatever you chose :)

While I had an epidural with my daughter after 23hrs of labor, I did so because of the back labor I was experiencing. I will try to go without this time only because I want to try it again. I just wanted to advise you to keep an open mind about the experience. You know your body and your limits. Tell yourself and your support team (DH, nurses and dr) that you desire to do it naturally, but that if you should change your mind during labor that is perfectly fine! I wanted very badly to go naturally and was frustrated and dissappointed in myself when my plans changed, but everything worked out beautifully and I had a great birthing experience....best of luck in whatever you chose :)

I don't think the pain of natural childbirth can hurt you. I do know that my bp was high until after I had my epidural (due to the pain I guess?), but I don't think it was serious.

I think the amount of pain varies by each woman, so I've decided it's a good plan to go in prepared to naturally give birth but not see an epidural as a failure if the pain is too much. Plus, you might be one of the lucky ones who aren't in labor very long or one of the not so lucky ones who are in labor for a while. I think that ends up affecting your decision.

Statistically speaking, epidurals generally are safe for the mom and baby, but so is natural birth. I spent most of my labor without an epidural, but I was convinced to get one at the end. So I don't know how much worse it gets at the end, but I was in a lot of pain. I had back labor, didn't feel it in my stomach at all. My hospital did promote the epidural, though. They didn't make me get one, but they kept saying how it would help. And it was nice to not be in agony the last few hours.

Oh, and one thing to consider is that if you don't have an epidural and the baby's heart rate drops, they'll have to put you to sleep to do an emergency c-section. My baby's heart rate was dropping at times, and I'm terrified of being put to sleep. That was the deciding factor for me, but most people aren't so terrified of being put to sleep. :-)

I don't think the pain of natural childbirth can hurt you. I do know that my bp was high until after I had my epidural (due to the pain I guess?), but I don't think it was serious.

I think the amount of pain varies by each woman, so I've decided it's a good plan to go in prepared to naturally give birth but not see an epidural as a failure if the pain is too much. Plus, you might be one of the lucky ones who aren't in labor very long or one of the not so lucky ones who are in labor for a while. I think that ends up affecting your decision.

Statistically speaking, epidurals generally are safe for the mom and baby, but so is natural birth. I spent most of my labor without an epidural, but I was convinced to get one at the end. So I don't know how much worse it gets at the end, but I was in a lot of pain. I had back labor, didn't feel it in my stomach at all. My hospital did promote the epidural, though. They didn't make me get one, but they kept saying how it would help. And it was nice to not be in agony the last few hours.

Oh, and one thing to consider is that if you don't have an epidural and the baby's heart rate drops, they'll have to put you to sleep to do an emergency c-section. My baby's heart rate was dropping at times, and I'm terrified of being put to sleep. That was the deciding factor for me, but most people aren't so terrified of being put to sleep. :-)

Well they won't do I.v. pain medication too close to when you are pushing. So it won't help with that part. The i.v. drugs only helped for about 15-30 minutes. Then they wear off. So it's not continuous. I had the epi put in too late so I wasnt numb at all until after she was born. It wasnt as bad as I had expected. Pushing actually was a relief and hurt less than my piggybacking contractions.

I don't think that anyone can actually explain to you what labor feels like because everyone's is different. Mine never felt like menstrual cramping as others have said that it does. I had a wave of pain that would radiate from my groin over my stomach and sides. I was stripped at 38weeks 6 days and then started to have mild contractions that I could barely feel. I woke up the next morning to contractions still coming- but again they were pretty painless. I just felt my stomach getting tight. At about 9am they started to get regular and went from 5-10 minutes apart to 3-7 minutes apart in about an hour. By 11 I couldn't walk through my contractions and they HURT. I was admitted at 11 and my contractions piggybacked on one another until she was born at 3:58 that afternoon. So I didn't have any downtime between contractions to rest.. they just kept coming. I could feel them just radiating over and over and over. I have a pretty high pain tolerance and still wanted the epi. I was not checked in time because I was progressing a lot faster than they had expected me to as a first time mother. My pain came on fast, and hard and didn't let up. if I had gone in knowing I wouldn't have been able to have relief from the pain, I would have freaked out. I guess to answer your question I would just say that you NEVER know how its going to go- so go in with an open mind. You might need it, you might not. I have a really high pain tolerance and still was begging for the drugs. It didnt work out that way and I survived- but I would have liked the drugs.

Well they won't do I.v. pain medication too close to when you are pushing. So it won't help with that part. The i.v. drugs only helped for about 15-30 minutes. Then they wear off. So it's not continuous. I had the epi put in too late so I wasnt numb at all until after she was born. It wasnt as bad as I had expected. Pushing actually was a relief and hurt less than my piggybacking contractions.

I don't think that anyone can actually explain to you what labor feels like because everyone's is different. Mine never felt like menstrual cramping as others have said that it does. I had a wave of pain that would radiate from my groin over my stomach and sides. I was stripped at 38weeks 6 days and then started to have mild contractions that I could barely feel. I woke up the next morning to contractions still coming- but again they were pretty painless. I just felt my stomach getting tight. At about 9am they started to get regular and went from 5-10 minutes apart to 3-7 minutes apart in about an hour. By 11 I couldn't walk through my contractions and they HURT. I was admitted at 11 and my contractions piggybacked on one another until she was born at 3:58 that afternoon. So I didn't have any downtime between contractions to rest.. they just kept coming. I could feel them just radiating over and over and over. I have a pretty high pain tolerance and still wanted the epi. I was not checked in time because I was progressing a lot faster than they had expected me to as a first time mother. My pain came on fast, and hard and didn't let up. if I had gone in knowing I wouldn't have been able to have relief from the pain, I would have freaked out. I guess to answer your question I would just say that you NEVER know how its going to go- so go in with an open mind. You might need it, you might not. I have a really high pain tolerance and still was begging for the drugs. It didnt work out that way and I survived- but I would have liked the drugs.

Gosh I can't believe no one has answered you yet! Ha!Yes!! I had a natural birth without epi :-) Totally fine to not have an Epi, people have been doing it for centuries!! I could feel everything and yes it was painful- but what labor isnt? I don't think I have a high pain thresh hold but I managed to do it. That being said I went in with the thoughts of "I'll give it a good shot, if I have to I'll get the epi but I'll try without it first" I left all my options open. I didn't go in thinking all I had to do was survive till 4cm, I thought I had to get to 10cm! But I'm sure epi's are the best thing for some people, it's not weak to get one, and it's not braver to not get one. Everyone is different!!

I heard that there is more chance of needing other interventions if u have an epi, like a snow ball effect.

Either way. I was very proud of myself after giving birth naturally, and will attempt to do it again (with the open option to get epi if I need it- hey! I'm not a hero!)

Gosh I can't believe no one has answered you yet! Ha!Yes!! I had a natural birth without epi :-) Totally fine to not have an Epi, people have been doing it for centuries!! I could feel everything and yes it was painful- but what labor isnt? I don't think I have a high pain thresh hold but I managed to do it. That being said I went in with the thoughts of "I'll give it a good shot, if I have to I'll get the epi but I'll try without it first" I left all my options open. I didn't go in thinking all I had to do was survive till 4cm, I thought I had to get to 10cm! But I'm sure epi's are the best thing for some people, it's not weak to get one, and it's not braver to not get one. Everyone is different!!

I heard that there is more chance of needing other interventions if u have an epi, like a snow ball effect.

Either way. I was very proud of myself after giving birth naturally, and will attempt to do it again (with the open option to get epi if I need it- hey! I'm not a hero!)

While I was pushing I exclaimed to everyone in the room "gosh it feels like I'm pushing out a baby!!"To which they all replied"that's because you are honey" Ha!!! That's exactly what it felt like- a big huge poo from the vagina area. You know that feeling of pushing a poo out that's too big for your poo hole- that feeling but waaay waaay more intense.

Contractions hurt like all heck. But as soon as they are over you could continue on with life and have a cup of tea and biscuit with a friend absolutely no pain at all. Then BOOM! Contraction that takes over your whole body and mind ouch!!!!! Then cup of tea convo... Then BOOM!!! And nice then ouch then nice then ouch etc.

Pushing to me felt great, painful but great, like I was able to help achieve the end results. Contractions happen on their own with no control from me, so to have some control and do something to actively get the baby out felt like relief.

Crowning felt like a burning sensation "ring of fire" was correct for me. I had 2nd degree tearing but didn't know untill they started stitching me up after te birth. Totally didn't know durin the birth that I tore.

The feeling of baby coming out was great!! And it was litterally instant relief- back to tea with a friend :-) ha! I only had one contraction more for placenta but barely felt that as I was more focused on my incredible baby on my lap! They cut cord, I breast fed. Then gave baby to daddy while I went for a shower. Feeling tired and swollen vagina but not in any pain at all. The hot shower was greeeaaaat! Soo nice to feel clean. I then put on a big huge comfy pad and my comfy clothes came back to bed and had a cup of tea and biscuit and fruit while I stared at my new treasure.

This was my experience. HTH :-)

Oh and discribe it...

While I was pushing I exclaimed to everyone in the room "gosh it feels like I'm pushing out a baby!!"To which they all replied"that's because you are honey" Ha!!! That's exactly what it felt like- a big huge poo from the vagina area. You know that feeling of pushing a poo out that's too big for your poo hole- that feeling but waaay waaay more intense.

Contractions hurt like all heck. But as soon as they are over you could continue on with life and have a cup of tea and biscuit with a friend absolutely no pain at all. Then BOOM! Contraction that takes over your whole body and mind ouch!!!!! Then cup of tea convo... Then BOOM!!! And nice then ouch then nice then ouch etc.

Pushing to me felt great, painful but great, like I was able to help achieve the end results. Contractions happen on their own with no control from me, so to have some control and do something to actively get the baby out felt like relief.

Crowning felt like a burning sensation "ring of fire" was correct for me. I had 2nd degree tearing but didn't know untill they started stitching me up after te birth. Totally didn't know durin the birth that I tore.

The feeling of baby coming out was great!! And it was litterally instant relief- back to tea with a friend :-) ha! I only had one contraction more for placenta but barely felt that as I was more focused on my incredible baby on my lap! They cut cord, I breast fed. Then gave baby to daddy while I went for a shower. Feeling tired and swollen vagina but not in any pain at all. The hot shower was greeeaaaat! Soo nice to feel clean. I then put on a big huge comfy pad and my comfy clothes came back to bed and had a cup of tea and biscuit and fruit while I stared at my new treasure.

See... This is what i was expecting. I was expecting downtime between contractions, the "ring of fire sensation"- all of that. Didn't have any of it. Which is why I think it's so hard for people to explain what labor feels like because everyone is different.

I had piggy backing contractions for at least 4 hours with no break but the pushing was ah-maze-ing. It was relief. I did tear but I didn't feel it and I never felt the burning. I just wanted the kid out and the contractions to stop.. Now if I had to push for hours.. I probably wouldnt have enjoyed it.

See... This is what i was expecting. I was expecting downtime between contractions, the "ring of fire sensation"- all of that. Didn't have any of it. Which is why I think it's so hard for people to explain what labor feels like because everyone is different.

I had piggy backing contractions for at least 4 hours with no break but the pushing was ah-maze-ing. It was relief. I did tear but I didn't feel it and I never felt the burning. I just wanted the kid out and the contractions to stop.. Now if I had to push for hours.. I probably wouldnt have enjoyed it.

I am a pain wimp too lol! I was in my induction for 36 hours only 2 cm...I had an epidural tuen they started the pit which started the contrations and OMG!!! The pit does make them worse FYI and the epidural didn't take on one area! It felt like a bad month of menstral cramping but about 1000 worse and I couldn't handle it after 20 min demanded a c section! Thank god I did my DD was 10lb 12 oz! Do what you feel is right for you :) I am having another c section 9/30/10 :)

I am a pain wimp too lol! I was in my induction for 36 hours only 2 cm...I had an epidural tuen they started the pit which started the contrations and OMG!!! The pit does make them worse FYI and the epidural didn't take on one area! It felt like a bad month of menstral cramping but about 1000 worse and I couldn't handle it after 20 min demanded a c section! Thank god I did my DD was 10lb 12 oz! Do what you feel is right for you :) I am having another c section 9/30/10 :)

My mom always told me that if I anticipate the pain then it will hurt 100 times more.Just like riping off aÂ band aid. Its not so bad but omg do you anticipate mass amounts of pain.I say. childbirth pfft, what pain? I will be eating chocolate bars and singing songs. It will hurt if I let my mind think it will hurt.

Some people, especially kids don't even know they have hurt themselves until they see the marks... then they freak out.... mind over matter!!

You can do this girl!

My mom always told me that if I anticipate the pain then it will hurt 100 times more.Just like riping off aÂ band aid. Its not so bad but omg do you anticipate mass amounts of pain.I say. childbirth pfft, what pain? I will be eating chocolate bars and singing songs. It will hurt if I let my mind think it will hurt.

Some people, especially kids don't even know they have hurt themselves until they see the marks... then they freak out.... mind over matter!!

Well I could lie and say it's not to bad, but for me it was so painfull I can't tell you. It does build up but by the time your really going it hurts like mad !!! That said, it doesn't harm you or the baby. I have also had one with an epidural and it didn't harm us either in any way. It just took the pain away. Good lick however you decide :)

Well I could lie and say it's not to bad, but for me it was so painfull I can't tell you. It does build up but by the time your really going it hurts like mad !!! That said, it doesn't harm you or the baby. I have also had one with an epidural and it didn't harm us either in any way. It just took the pain away. Good lick however you decide :)

It hurts but like people have said, it is different for everyone. I went in not wanting an epi and all of my friends said i was crazy but i didnt care, it's me having the baby not them. Well my bp was sky high, i was high risk and my ob wanted to control that plus get her out asap. They put me on stadol bc my headaches were so bad, and by the time i had her, it had worn off.

I had super strong contractions and it does feel good to push. My body was pushing for me, hard to explain, but your body knows what to do and it takes over. I felt the ring of fire, but didnt feel the tear or even know i tore till they told me later that i did.

But once the baby is out, the pain is gone. You will have crampy pain as your uterus contracts back down to normal over the next few weeks but nothing terrible. Its like period cramps plus think of how good it is that its shrinking!!!

So besides a couple of my friends and myself, every one i know had the epi. And none of us regret not getting one. I plan on not getting one again, unless they have to do a c-section. Which if i go high risk again my midwife told me i might have to. Also i went from 0 cm to her born in 2 hrs so i dont know what it feels like to be in labor for 24 plus hrs like lots of women go through. So just listen to your body and do what feels comfortable for you.

It hurts but like people have said, it is different for everyone. I went in not wanting an epi and all of my friends said i was crazy but i didnt care, it's me having the baby not them. Well my bp was sky high, i was high risk and my ob wanted to control that plus get her out asap. They put me on stadol bc my headaches were so bad, and by the time i had her, it had worn off.

I had super strong contractions and it does feel good to push. My body was pushing for me, hard to explain, but your body knows what to do and it takes over. I felt the ring of fire, but didnt feel the tear or even know i tore till they told me later that i did.

But once the baby is out, the pain is gone. You will have crampy pain as your uterus contracts back down to normal over the next few weeks but nothing terrible. Its like period cramps plus think of how good it is that its shrinking!!!

So besides a couple of my friends and myself, every one i know had the epi. And none of us regret not getting one. I plan on not getting one again, unless they have to do a c-section. Which if i go high risk again my midwife told me i might have to. Also i went from 0 cm to her born in 2 hrs so i dont know what it feels like to be in labor for 24 plus hrs like lots of women go through. So just listen to your body and do what feels comfortable for you.

I had an epidural with my first that did not take, so I still felt everything. I had nubain with my second and it made me feel very foggy for a couple of hours during the labor. The fog went away right before it was time to push. Both my labors were short, the first was 6 hours and the second was 4. The good news is that no matter how bad the pain is, it does not last forever, you can get through it, and you get a beautiful baby at the end of it all!

I had an epidural with my first that did not take, so I still felt everything. I had nubain with my second and it made me feel very foggy for a couple of hours during the labor. The fog went away right before it was time to push. Both my labors were short, the first was 6 hours and the second was 4. The good news is that no matter how bad the pain is, it does not last forever, you can get through it, and you get a beautiful baby at the end of it all!

I was dead set against medical intervention with my first- and ended up having everything!!! Long story short- 2 week late baby, bad reaction to induction ( his heartrate went down to 53bpm), membranes broken and immeadiate 2 min long contractions ( longest break was 20seconds for 41/2 hrs), 3cm dilation at that point and I begged for the epi!!! I literally wept for joy when I got it! I laboured for 12 more hours with little progression and ended up with a c-section, my personal worst case scenario!!!! In the end my l

I was dead set against medical intervention with my first- and ended up having everything!!! Long story short- 2 week late baby, bad reaction to induction ( his heartrate went down to 53bpm), membranes broken and immeadiate 2 min long contractions ( longest break was 20seconds for 41/2 hrs), 3cm dilation at that point and I begged for the epi!!! I literally wept for joy when I got it! I laboured for 12 more hours with little progression and ended up with a c-section, my personal worst case scenario!!!! In the end my l

I have done both, and natural childbirth is the way to go for me anyway. It didn't hurt as bad as I thought, the back labor I had was worse than anything, but was over more quickly than if I had an epidural. When I had epi's it slowed my labor down and I had to get pitocin, so that wasn't good. Plus, I didn't like being told it's time to push with the epi, natural I was telling them it was time to push because I could actually feel it. You are able to listen to your body more without meds. Also the pain I experienced when the epidural needle nicked my spinal column was way worse that the pain of childbirth. And you do forget the pain of childbirth:)

I have done both, and natural childbirth is the way to go for me anyway. It didn't hurt as bad as I thought, the back labor I had was worse than anything, but was over more quickly than if I had an epidural. When I had epi's it slowed my labor down and I had to get pitocin, so that wasn't good. Plus, I didn't like being told it's time to push with the epi, natural I was telling them it was time to push because I could actually feel it. You are able to listen to your body more without meds. Also the pain I experienced when the epidural needle nicked my spinal column was way worse that the pain of childbirth. And you do forget the pain of childbirth:)

with my last 2 i did not have an epi, i will not be having one with this one unless medically necessary. i figured i survived the last 2 i can make it through this one. i did have a shot of demerol mixed with gravol given into the butt muscle. i don't think it did anything but make me extremely sleepy. with my last they gave it to me and he was born half hour later. i slept for the next 9 hours straight and my baby didn't open his eyes for a full day, i think it was from the drugs, anyway, i will not be getting the demerol this time either. As for the pain, i made a promise to myself while in labor that i would never do this again, well 7 years later here i am.

with my last 2 i did not have an epi, i will not be having one with this one unless medically necessary. i figured i survived the last 2 i can make it through this one. i did have a shot of demerol mixed with gravol given into the butt muscle. i don't think it did anything but make me extremely sleepy. with my last they gave it to me and he was born half hour later. i slept for the next 9 hours straight and my baby didn't open his eyes for a full day, i think it was from the drugs, anyway, i will not be getting the demerol this time either. As for the pain, i made a promise to myself while in labor that i would never do this again, well 7 years later here i am.

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